Wash. Gubernatorial Candidates Prepare To Meet For Second Debate

Southwest Washington is the setting for the second official debate of the 2012 governor’s race. Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee will face off Wednesday night on the Vancouver campus of Washington State University.

Pollster Matt Barreto at the University of Washington says now that the primary is over this is a chance for the candidates to move the conversation forward.

Barreto: “We hope to get some very specific statements out of the candidates, but it doesn’t do a lot to move public opinion unless someone does have a big gaffe or a big mistake which obviously we don’t wish on any of these guys.”

Barreto says polls show the economy remains the number one concern of Washington voters. Education is also a hot topic in this campaign. The candidates have also agreed to debate in Yakima and Seattle in October. The first official debate, in June in Spokane, was moderated by our own Austin Jenkins.